# Jacke Davis

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**Jacke Sylvesta Davis** (March 5, 1936 – May 30, 2021), often misspelled "**Jack**" **Davis**, was an American former professional [baseball](/source/Baseball) [outfielder](/source/Outfielder), who spent eight seasons in professional baseball, including part of one season in [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball) (MLB) with the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies).

After Davis’ playing career was over, he returned to his hometown, becoming the [coach](/source/Coach_(baseball)) at [Carthage High School](/source/Carthage_High_School_(Carthage,_Texas)) and later [Panola College](/source/Panola_College). Over Davis’ brief big league career, he [batted](/source/Batting_average_(baseball)) .213, with nine [runs](/source/Run_(baseball)), 16 [hits](/source/Hit_(baseball)), one [triples](/source/Triple_(baseball)), one [home run](/source/Home_run), six [runs batted in](/source/Runs_batted_in) (RBI), and one [stolen base](/source/Stolen_base), in 48 [games played](/source/Games_played). Davis played 26 games in the outfield, and spent the rest of his playing time [pinch hitting](/source/Pinch_hitter).

For the majority of his career, Davis played in [Minor League Baseball](/source/Minor_League_Baseball) (MiLB). He made his professional debut with the Class-B [High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms](/source/High_Point-Thomasville_Hi-Toms) in 1958. Davis then moved-up the organization, making stops at the Class-A [Williamsport Grays](/source/Williamsport_Grays) (1959) and the Triple-A [Buffalo Bisons](/source/Buffalo_Bisons) (1960–1962) until he was called up to the major league Philadelphia Phillies in 1962.

After playing his only season in MLB, Davis continued to play in the minor leagues with the Triple-A [Atlanta Crackers](/source/Atlanta_Crackers) of the [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals) organization (1963); the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, this time affiliated with the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) (1963); the Triple-A [Tacoma Giants](/source/Tacoma_Rainiers) in the [San Francisco Giants](/source/San_Francisco_Giants) organization (1963); the Triple-A [Denver Bears](/source/Denver_Bears) in the [Milwaukee Braves](/source/Milwaukee_Braves) organization (1964); and the Triple-A [Oklahoma City 89ers](/source/Oklahoma_City_89ers), and the Double-A [San Antonio Bullets](/source/San_Antonio_Bullets) in the [Houston Colt .45s](/source/Houston_Colt_.45s) organization (1964).

## Professional career

### Philadelphia Phillies

At the age of 22, Davis was signed by the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) as an amateur [free agent](/source/Free_agent) out of [Baylor University](/source/Baylor_University).[1] He was originally assigned to the Triple-A [Miami Marlins](/source/Miami_Marlins_(IL)) of the [International League](/source/International_League),[2] however, he began the season with the Class-B [High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms](/source/High_Point-Thomasville_Hi-Toms). Davis was a "[bonus baby](/source/Bonus_baby)" meaning that he had to be kept on the Phillies [40-man roster](/source/40-man_roster) due to the size of his contract.[3] Davis suffered a broken [ankle](/source/Ankle) during a collision in [spring training](/source/Spring_training).[3] During his first professional season, Davis batted .302 with 118 [hits](/source/Hit_(baseball)), 21 [doubles](/source/Double_(baseball)), one [triples](/source/Triple_(baseball)), and 25 [home runs](/source/Home_runs) in 106 games. Davis led the team in batting average, and home runs.[4] He was tied for first in the [Carolina League](/source/Carolina_League) in home runs, and was third in batting average.[5] In 1959, Davis was assigned to the Class-A [Williamsport Grays](/source/Williamsport_Grays). On the season, he batted .291 with 148 hits, 30 doubles, three triples, and 33 home runs in 139 games played. Davis led the [Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1938%E2%80%932020)) in home runs,[6] a pace he had been on since at least mid-August.[7]

Davis was promoted to the Triple-A [Buffalo Bisons](/source/Buffalo_Bisons) of the [International League](/source/International_League) in 1960. With the Bisons, Davis batted .237 with 39 [runs](/source/Run_(baseball)), 87 hits, 14 doubles, one triple, 18 home runs, 58 [runs batted in](/source/Runs_batted_in) (RBIs), and three [stolen bases](/source/Stolen_bases). He was tied for first on the Buffalo team in home runs.[8] In 1961, Davis continued to play at the Triple-A level with the Bisons. On the season, he batted .303 with 65 runs, 131 hits, 31 doubles, five triples, 16 home runs, and 72 RBIs in 123 games. Davis was second on the team in doubles, triples, and RBIs.[9] Before the start of the 1962 season, The Associated Press speculated that Davis would have a good chance at making the Phillies roster.[10] Davis made his major league debut on April 19, 1962, against the [Pittsburgh Pirates](/source/Pittsburgh_Pirates) and went hitless in one [at-bat](/source/At-bat).[11] His first hit, a triple, came against the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) on April 29.[11] Davis' last game in the majors was on July 19.[11] On the season, he batted .213 with nine runs, 16 hits, one triple, one home run, six RBIs, and one stolen base in 48 games. On the defensive end, Davis played 16 games in [left field](/source/Left_field), seven games in [right field](/source/Right_field), and five games in [center field](/source/Center_fielder), and committed two [errors](/source/Error_(baseball)) in 26 [total chances](/source/Total_chances). After his stint with the Phillies, Davis was sent to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons where he batted .244 with 33 runs, 47 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 31 RBIs, and two stolen bases.

### Later career

On December 11, 1962, the Philadelphia Phillies traded Davis to the [Los Angeles Angels](/source/Los_Angeles_Angels) for [catcher](/source/Catcher) [Earl Averill, Jr.](/source/Earl_Averill,_Jr.)[12] There were reportedly "contract difficulties" between the Angels and Davis, however, they worked it out and he agreed to terms on a contract in February.[13] On March 29, 1963, the Angels traded Davis to the [San Francisco Giants](/source/San_Francisco_Giants) for [first baseman](/source/First_baseman) [Charlie Dees](/source/Charlie_Dees). Davis started the season with the Triple-A [Tacoma Giants](/source/Tacoma_Rainiers). With the Giants, he batted .174 with 29 hits, seven doubles, five home runs, and 17 RBIs in 56 games. In May, Davis joined the New York Mets organization and was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. On July 29, Davis was sent to the [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals) with cash considerations in exchange for outfielder [Duke Carmel](/source/Duke_Carmel). Davis was then assigned to the Triple-A [Atlanta Crackers](/source/Atlanta_Crackers) in the Cardinals organization. Between the Bisons and Crackers, he batted .214 with 15 runs, 24 hits, two doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 13 RBIs in 43 games. In 1964, his last season in professional baseball, Davis split the season between the Triple-A [Oklahoma City 89ers](/source/Oklahoma_City_89ers) and the Double-A [San Antonio Bullets](/source/San_Antonio_Bullets) in the [Houston Colt .45s](/source/Houston_Colt_.45s) organization; and the Triple-A [Denver Bears](/source/Denver_Bears) in the [Milwaukee Braves](/source/Milwaukee_Braves) organization. On the season, Davis batted a combined .143 with 18 runs, 28 hits, four doubles, six home runs, and 21 RBIs in 76 games between the 89ers, Bullets, and Bears.

## Coaching career

After his playing career was over, Davis [coached](/source/Coach_(baseball)) baseball at [Carthage High School](/source/Carthage_High_School_(Carthage,_Texas)) in his hometown of [Carthage, Texas](/source/Carthage,_Texas).[14] He spent nine seasons at the helm of the baseball program there until 1981 where he took a position at [Panola College](/source/Panola_College). During his time at Panola College, Davis won the conference coach of the year five times; coached the team to eight conference championship; and nine appearances in the [National Junior College Athletic Association](/source/National_Junior_College_Athletic_Association) regional playoffs.[15] He compiled a record of 501 [wins](/source/Win_(baseball)) and 292 [losses](/source/Loss_(baseball)).[15] Davis coached 118 players who went on to sign with universities, 38 players who were drafted in the [Major League Baseball draft](/source/Major_League_Baseball_draft), and five players who went on to play in [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball).[15] After his coaching tenure that went from 1982 to 1996 was over, Davis was elected to the Panola College Athletic Hall of Fame.[15]

## References

**General references**

1. ["Jacke Davis Statistics and History"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisja01.shtml). *Baseball-Reference*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
1. ["Jacke Davis Minor League Statistics & History"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=davis-002jac). *Baseball-Reference*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

**Inline citations**

1. ["Phils Sign Davis For Miami Club"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FUMaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PyMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2667,664168&dq=jacke+davis+baseball&hl=en). *The Times-News*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["Davis to Marlins"](https://archive.today/20120716132545/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7WMzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sOoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3263,5637325&dq=jacke+davis+baylor&hl=en). *The Miami News*. United Press International. January 15, 1958. Archived from [the original](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7WMzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sOoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3263,5637325&dq=jacke+davis+baylor&hl=en) on July 16, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. Norris Anderson (April 24, 1958). ["Marlins Streak Snapped, Green To Pitch Tonight"](https://archive.today/20130124160922/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3MMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IuwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5441,3794970&dq=jacke+davis+baylor&hl=en). *The Miami News*. Archived from [the original](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3MMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IuwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5441,3794970&dq=jacke+davis+baylor&hl=en) on January 24, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["1958 High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=20185). *Baseball-Reference*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["1958 Carolina League Batting Leaders"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=10727&sort_by=HR). *Baseball-Reference*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["1959 Eastern League Batting Leaders"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=11379&sort_by=HR). *Baseball-Reference*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["Eastern League"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jjwmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qP4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=5818,828084&dq=jacke+davis+baseball&hl=en). *Gettysburg Times*. Associated Press. August 18, 1959. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["1960 Buffalo Bisons"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=13314). *Baseball-Reference*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["1961 Buffalo Bisons"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=13315). *Baseball-Reference*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["Phils' Ted Savage Rated Top Rookie"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151223112415/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kx4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-SYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7068,1984423&dq=jacke+davis+phillies&hl=en). *The Milwaukee Journal*. Associated Press. January 24, 1972. Archived from [the original](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kx4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-SYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7068,1984423&dq=jacke+davis+phillies&hl=en) on December 23, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["Jacke Davis 1962 Batting Gamelogs"](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=davisja01&t=b&year=1962). *Baseball-Reference*. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["Phills Get Averill"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160610111706/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nskUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4656,2443354&dq=jacke+davis+phillies&hl=en). *Eugene Register-Guard*. United Press International. December 12, 1962. Archived from [the original](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nskUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1uIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4656,2443354&dq=jacke+davis+phillies&hl=en) on June 10, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["Angels Use Video Tape On Hurlers"](https://archive.today/20120713025636/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ab00AAAAIBAJ&sjid=c4cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2798,3181000&dq=jacke+davis+angeles&hl=en). *Tri City Herald*. Associated Press. February 21, 1963. Archived from [the original](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ab00AAAAIBAJ&sjid=c4cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2798,3181000&dq=jacke+davis+angeles&hl=en) on July 13, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["Panola College to induct six into Athletic Hall of Fame"](https://archive.today/20110809064856/http://www.panolawatchman.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=94&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=4044&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2100&hn=panolawatchman&he=.com). *The Panola Watchman*. Archived from [the original](http://www.panolawatchman.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=94&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=4044&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2100&hn=panolawatchman&he=.com) on August 9, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

1. ["Hall of Fame Inductees: Jacke S. Davis"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100715031027/http://www.panola.edu/athletics/home/hall-of-fame.html). *Panola Athletic Department*. Panola College. Archived from [the original](http://www.panola.edu/athletics/home/hall-of-fame.html) on 2010-07-15. Retrieved July 8, 2010.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jacke Davis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacke_Davis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacke_Davis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.